AN: Thank you for the reviews! Okay, people! Time to crank up the tension a wee dram... Gosh, this chapter was so much fun to write!:) Kricket

Penelope had a much more pleasant ride home from the beach than her ride there. She sat in the back seat with Cosimo. Luca insisted on driving and having Derek up front with her so she could show him the sights. Penelope didn't care; as long as she had the much safer feeling backseat, it was all good with her.

Cosimo stretched his arm out to her. "Dolcezza. Would you like to lay on my shoulder?"

Penelope nodded. The cramped back of the small Italian car almost demanded that sort of closeness. "Thank you."

After she rested her head on his shoulder, Cosimo tucked her even tighter against his body. "Better?"

She closed her eyes, noticing the delicious woodsy scent of Cosimo. She was trying to peg the expensive Italian cologne he was wearing, but she couldn't quite figure it out. It didn't matter; it was glorious. She sighed and snuggled. "Much better."

"Luca!" Cosimo called out, causing Penelope to open her eyes and his sister to look in the rearview mirror.

Penelope had to fight to keep her eyes open; Luca drove as wickedly as her brother.

"Si?"

He kissed the top of Penelope's head, which caused her to look up. Cosimo winked at his sister. "I won't fight you to drive ever again. You can drive from now on. In fact, you chauffeur us around all night."

Penelope giggled. Cosimo was such a flirt.

Cosimo's voice dropped to a sing song purr as he said, "Nothing better in the world: a bella signorina, resting on my arm, seeing the sites of Roma..."

"Hey," Derek barked from the front seat. "Let's stop there for dinner. I'm hungry."

Penelope realized that must be true. Derek sounded cranky; he always was cranky when he was hungry.

The next morning, Penelope was surprised to see Derek standing in her room when she opened her eyes. She'd had such a pleasant night, flirting with Cosimo. She had even shared a plate of pasta with him, like she used to do back in Quantico with Derek. He was a sweet man-from what he'd told her he was oversexed, but sweet.

"Would you like to see the stars from my room, dolcezza?" he'd purred while they shared dessert. "I have an open balcony; you can see for miles."

Penelope hadn't taken him up on his offer. No doubt he was a beautiful man, and she'd been sure he knew his way around a bed, but she hadn't been sure she was ready to be yet another notch on Cosimo's bedpost.

Derek, on the other hand, had spent most of the night either quiet or talking with Luca, who had been animated and non-stop chatty. Derek had looked like he'd had somewhat of a headache; he'd excused himself to go to bed immediately after they'd arrived home.

"Too much sun, Hot Stuff?" she'd asked, concerned.

Walking over to her, he'd looked at her, like he'd been truly thinking. A second later, he'd cupped her cheek in his hand, then caressed gently under her chin. "Yeah, Baby Girl. Have a good night."

She'd anticipated that he'd sleep in for a long time. So, seeing him standing there, holding two paper cups of coffee, was a pleasant surprise.

"Morgan, what's up?" she asked, sitting up, straightening her nightshirt that was twisted on her body. "Everything okay?"

He sat on the edge of her bed and handed her a cup. "Everything's fine, angel girl. I just wanted to know what you wanted to do today."

She took a sip of the very hot and strong Italian brew and sighed gratefully. "I don't know. What do Luca and Cosimo have-"

"No, sweetheart," he interrupted. "I was thinking just us two today." He looked down at his cup of coffee for a second, then looked back up at her. "If that's okay with you?"

Penelope watched Derek. He looked so unsure; it was unlike him. She smiled brilliantly. "Of course I want to spend the day with you! Where should we go?"

He beamed back at her, an odd expression of relief on his face. "Wear good shoes, baby…we're going touring today."

After spending all day shopping and sightseeing with Morgan, oohing and ahhing over the Lamborghini's and Ferrari's that passed them, eating gelato from roadside stands, marveling in how old everything was, Penelope was pooped. She entered Cosimo and Luca's kitchen, taking a seat.

Cosimo was there. "Bella! Welcome back! Did you have a nice time?"

She pointed to her numerous bags on the floor with a huge grin on her face.

Cosimo began to chuckle, the crinkles by his espresso brown eyes enhancing his looks. "Ah! Definitely sign of a good time there!"

Penelope took off her sneakers. "My feet are so sore…"

"Well, I can remedy this," Cosimo replied as he squatted in front of her and started rubbing her foot.

Derek entered the kitchen, carrying twice as many bags as Penelope did. He'd stopped to pay the cab driver (Who drove like Luca and Cosimo!), and then insisted on carrying the bulk of the bags, although most of them were Penelope's.

He was scowling when he looked at her."Baby. Get dressed. We're going to dinner, then dancing tonight."

The coolness in his tone surprised her. Was he angr-

She watched as he looked at Cosimo, then her feet, then Cosimo again, and then watched his scowl turn even blacker.

It hit her then…was he jealous of Cosimo? Derek, jealous? She'd never seen him jealous in his life; he couldn't be!

"Oh! Where we go tonight?" Cosimo asked, not releasing her foot.

"Sorry, Romeo," Derek growled. "It's just me and Penelope tonight."

Cosimo gave her a hurt look that knocked the wind out of her sails. She found herself replying in an apologetic tone, "I'd promised, Cosi."

"Non e niente," Cosimo said, then translated with a smile when she looked confused, "it's nothing. I will see you tomorrow, dolcezza."

After heading out for a wonderful dinner with Penelope, he suggested they go dancing.

"Somewhere you went with Luca?" she asked, and he noticed no vitriol in her words. She didn't seem at all upset about all the time that Luca was demanding of him. He felt horrible; he wanted to spend time with Penelope, but Luca was overpowering.

"No," he said. "I saw this place and wanted to show you."

The small club had French style doors that opened to a veranda. Outside, there was a dance floor with surrounded by iron pillars draped with vines and deep green leaves. In the corner was a bar that was scrolled iron with a glass topper, with many tall, dark, and handsome Italian people sitting and standing nearby drinking wine and cocktails.

The moment they walked into the room, many sets of hungry eyes turned and looked at his best friend. He placed an arm protectively around her shoulders, holding her closer. He didn't trust these foreigners around his Baby Girl. She didn't speak Italian; they could construe anything she said into, Sure, I'd love to go to bed with you, Fabio.

These men were wolves, and Penelope was a sweet little lamb they wanted to gobble up in one bite. All of them. Especially Cosimo. That man was a supreme player; Luca told him stories that made Derek feel chaste in comparison. He didn't like how friendly Cosimo was getting with Penelope. He was keeping an eye on the two of them.

"Derek, can you please loosen your grip?" Penelope asked sweetly. "It's hot, and your arm is sweaty."

Derek didn't realize he tightened his grip so tightly on her. He moved his arm, but kept his palm on her back. He found a table in the corner, although there were plenty in the center of the room that would've been fine. He held the chair out for her, and she sat, crossing her legs and baring her calves.

Derek watched as the Italian eyes took in the long lines of Penelope's legs. One particular man standing at the edge of the bar began to smirk as an appreciative light entered his eyes. Derek scowled at him, and he turned away sadly. Derek had a feeling he was going to have to deck some dude before he left this place.

"D, can you get me something to drink?" She touched the base of her throat, then fanned herself. "It is still hot, and I am so thirsty. Wine, please. Real Italian wine."

Derek grumbled, not wanting to leave her alone. He almost thought about bringing her with him to the bar, but he knew her feet hurt, even in her new Italian leather pumps. Reluctantly, he stood and headed to the bar.

Penelope couldn't believe the amount of male attention she was getting at this bar! She was ready to paste herself to Derek's side, but decided she needed to live a little. Within the space of a heartbeat after Derek left, a very handsome young man maneuvered his way over to her. He said something quickly in Italian.

She shook her head. "I'm so sorry; I don't-"

"Bella, will you dance with me?" he asked in perfect English, a devastating smile breaking across his face. He reached out a long-fingered, tanned hand to her.

Wow, was this man beautiful! After spending all day yesterday feeling either sick and queasy in a car, or pale and bloated on the beach, it felt really good to have a handsome man ask her to dance. She glanced over at Morgan, who was still waiting in line to get her beverage. She didn't think D would mind; if it were a good looking Italian woman, he would've danced with her. He spent enough time with lovely Luca, without any concern with where she was or what she was doing.

"Si," she said, answering with one of the few Italian words she knew, putting her hand in his.

XXX

Counting out his Euros to pay for his Peroni and her wine, he glanced back at the table and saw Penelope was missing. Her little wrap she was carrying was still draped across the chair, but the woman was nowhere to be found. His eyes did a quick scan of the dance floor, and he sucked in his breath with what he saw.

Penelope was swaying in the arms of some young stud, her body pressed close to his. He was built a lot like Derek himself, strong and hard; Penelope's curves melted into the man, and her skirt swished around both of their legs as they moved. The unmistakable fire of lust burned in the Italian's eyes, making Derek feel uncomfortable and offset.

The man spun her and turned her in his arms to the rhythm of the acoustic guitars and drums. With an extra turn, he held her in his arms again, his free hand moving up her back to play in her blonde curls flowing over her shoulders. Derek looked at them wistfully. He knew the man was in heaven; her hair was so soft, so silky.

Something amazing happened next. On the next turn, he saw Penelope look up, saw her notice the intensity of the man's desire, and he saw her recognize and appreciate her appeal. He'd never seen her look so confident, so utterly sensual, so sure of her magnetism. It was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen in his entire life.

Penelope was swaying, enjoying being held in Giuseppe's arms. She learned his name, and that he was a pharmacist in nearby Spinaceto. He was a good dancer, and she was having fun, when he halted as a familiar hand clamped on his shoulder.

"Lei e mia," Derek said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Giuseppe bent over her hand and kissed it, then with a sad last look, walked away.

"What did you say?" Penelope asked, somewhat confused.

"Nothing important," Derek murmured, not wanting to answer her at that moment. He was as confused as she looked. He told the Italian that she was his, but that wasn't exactly true. He just knew he'd wanted to dance with her, he'd needed to dance with her more than he'd needed air to breathe.

He held her close, feeling her softness as the perfect foil to his strength. He swayed, inhaling her sweet, familiar scent, his hands caressing her back. Nothing cloying or artificial, just the essence of Penelope. He moved his hands upward, moving up to her hair, touching that softness that was his to touch. Everything in him was screaming, Mine! No matter how irrational that thought was.

He closed his eyes, then opened them and looked at the other man glowering their way. He knew now what he was feeling when he was watching the Italian; he saw it in the other man's eyes as he danced with her.

Pure, unbridled jealousy.

XXX

"Derek?" she asked, looking up at him. He'd suddenly stopped moving.

When his gaze met hers, Pen had to fight a look of shock. For in the deep, chocolate depths of Derek Morgan's eyes, she saw the same mirrored look of lust Giuseppe had. It unnerved her, she didn't know what to think. It was too much to handle.

"Let's go have our drinks," she said, stepping out of the circle of his arms.

As quickly as the fire in his eyes erupted, it was quelled. "Sure thing, Ragazza Bambina," he said, and the teasing, good humor that was usual for her best friend returned.

Si-yes

Lei e Mia- She is mine.

Dolcezza- Sweetness

bella- Beautiful

Ragazza Bambina- Baby Girl